To approve the minutes of the Council meeting held on 25 February 2016.

(Attached pages 5 to 11)

RESOLVED

that the minutes of the meeting held on 25 February 2016 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

None were declared.

To receive any questions, statements and deputations from members of the public in accordance with the Public Participation Procedure as set out in Annex 1 of part A4 of the Constitution.

No questions, statements and deputations were made.

No petitions were received.

The Chairman explained that changes had been made to the agenda which had been re published on the web site.  The changes included the insertion of an electronic link to the minutes and draft policies of the Licensing Committee and the report at item 10 which was a report of the report of the Leader, summarising an urgent decision taken by the Director in accordance with the Constitution.

The Chairman reminded the Council that he was hosting an event at the Grove Theatre, Dunstable on 24 April 2016 called ‘It takes two’.

The Leader of the Council to announce any matters of communication.

The Leader of the Council reported on:

·                Plans for regeneration of a site in Houghton Regis which was supported by former England and Manchester United footballer, Rio Ferdinand.

·                the Cranfield Master Plan which included the Cranfield air space project

·                an overview of projects within Central Bedfordshire that were underway including Priory View, Dunstable, the M1/A1 link road, developments in Biggleswade and the East West Rail project

·                discussions on devolution which were on going with neighbouring authorities.

To receive reports from up to three Executive Members on recent matters of interest and ask questions on matters contained within the reports.

Reports are anticipated from Councillor Wenham and Councillor Young.

Councillor Dixon, Deputy Executive Member for Corporate Resources reported on the work within Assets, including:

·         the success of the Ivel Centre, Biggleswade

·         the various functions undertaken by facilities management

·         the management of retail, libraries, industrial units, industrial land and corporate buildings throughout Central Bedfordshire

·         recent asset sales

·         the roll out of the Smarter Working Programme.

Councillor Dixon responded to questions.

Councillor Young, Executive Member for Regeneration reported on work within his portfolio area including:

·         work on the Local Plans

·         the Growth Options Strategy

·         Gypsy and Traveller accommodation assessments

·         The Local Transport Plan

·         viability appraisals.

Councillor Young responded to questions.

To consider recommendations from the Licensing Committee held on 9 March 2016.

The published minutes and proposed policies may be accessed at this link:

http://centralbeds.moderngov.co.uk/documents/g4915/Public%20minutes%20Wednesday%2009-Mar-2016%2010.00%20LICENSING%20COMMITTEE.pdf?T=11

(i)            Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policies and Conditions

(Page 13)

(ii)          Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver Conditions

(Page 15)

(iii)         Criminal Conviction Policy

(Page 17)

(iv)         Code of Good Conduct for Licensed Drivers

(Page 19)

(v)          Hackney Carriage Byelaws

(Page 21)

(vi)         Hackney Carriage Conditions

(Page 23)

(vii)        Private Hire Vehicle Conditions

(Page 25)

(viii)      Private Hire (Special event) Vehicle Conditions

(Page 27)

(ix)         Conditions attached to Private Hire Operator Licences

(Page 29)

(x)          National Inspection Standards for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicles.

(Page 31)

(i)            Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policies and Conditions

The Council considered recommendations from the Licensing Committee concerning Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policies and Conditions. 

RESOLVED

1.      that the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy be adopted; and

2.      that the Head of Public Protection & Interim Head of Passenger Transport, in consultation with the Executive Member for Community Services, be given delegated authority to make any necessary minor amendments to the policy to publication.

(ii)          Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver Conditions

The Council considered a recommendation from the Licensing Committee concerning Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver Conditions.

RESOLVED

1.      that the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver Conditions be adopted: and

2.      that the Head of Public Protection & Interim Head of Passenger Transport, in consultation with the Executive Member for Community Services, be given delegated authority to make any necessary minor amendments to the conditions prior to publication.

(iii)         Criminal Conviction Policy

The Council considered a recommendation from the Licensing Committee concerning the Criminal Conviction Policy for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire matters.

RESOLVED

1.      that the Criminal Conviction Policy for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire matters be adopted: and

2.      that the Head of Public Protection & Interim Head of Passenger Transport, in consultation with the Executive Member for Community Services, be given delegated authority to make any necessary minor amendments to the policy prior to the publication.

(iv)         Code of Good Conduct for Licensed Drivers

The Council considered a report of the Licensing Committee seeking adoption of a Code of Good Conduct for licensed drivers for Central Bedfordshire Council.

RESOLVED

3.     that the Code of Conduct for licensed drovers be adopted; and

4.    that the Head of Public Protection & Interim Head of Passenger Transport, in consultation with the Executive Member for Community Services, be given delegated authority to make any necessary minor amendments to the code prior to publication.

(v)          Hackney Carriage Bye laws

The Council considered a report of the Licensing Committee concerning  Hackney Carriage byelaws for Central Bedfordshire Council.

RESOLVED

that the Hackney Carriage byelaws be adopted.

(vi)         Review of Hackney Carriage Conditions

The Council received and considered a report of the Licensing Committee concerning Hackney Carriage Conditions for Central Bedfordshire Council.

RESOLVED

1.that the Hackney Carriage Conditions be adopted; and

2.      that the Head of Public Protection & Interim Head of Passenger Transport, in consultation with the Executive Member for Community Services, be given delegated authority to make any necessary minor amendments to the conditions prior to publication.

(vii)       Private Hire Vehicle Conditions

The Council considered a report of the Licensing Committee concerning Private Hire Vehicle Conditions for Central Bedfordshire Council.

RESOLVED

1.      that the Private Hire Vehicle Conditions be adopted; and

2.      that the Head of Public Protection & Interim Head of Passenger Transport, in consultations with the Executive  for Community Services, be given delegated authority to make any necessary minor amendments to the conditions prior to publication.

(viii)      Private Hire (Special Event) Vehicle Conditions

The Council received and considered recommendation concerning  ...  view the full minutes text for item 88.

To receive a report of the Leader of the Council reporting an urgent decision to purchase replacement print machines and services for the Council.

(Attached pages 33 to 35 )

The Council received  a report of the Leader of the Council advising of an urgent decision that had been taken to purchase replacement print machines.

RESOLVED

that the urgent decision taken by the Director of Improvement Services and Corporate Services, in consultation with the Executive Member for Corporate Resources to award the new contract for print services to Ricoh, be noted.

To consider motions by Members of the Council under Rule No. 17 in the order received.

No motions were received.

To answer written questions from Members of the Council under Rule No. 13.2.

No written questions were received.

To answer Open Questions asked by Members of the Council under Rule No. 13.7.

The Chairman invited the Minority Group Leaders to ask a question each prior to consideration of questions that had been placed in the Open Questions receptacle.

1.         Councillor Zerny asked a question about the financial position of the Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group for the year ending 2015/16.

The Executive Member for Health advised of the financial position of the Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group.

2.         Councillor Zerny referred to a question that he had asked at a previous Council meeting and asked for clarity as to when he would receive and answer.

The Executive Member for Regeneration undertook to provide a written answer.